Automatic electric regulator.



J. W. JEPSON.

AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC REGULATOR.

APPLICATION men NOV. 29. 1901. RENEWED 0618,1913.

1,197,208. PatentedSept. 5,1916:

3 SHEETS-SHEET J. W. JEPSON.

AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC REGULATOR.

APPLICATION TILED NOV. 29. 1901. RENEWED OCT. 8, 191a.

Patented Sept. 5,1916.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN W. JEPSON, OF NEW YORK, Y., ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO U.S. LIGHT 8c HEAT CORPORATION, OF NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK, A CORPORATIONOF NEW YORK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 5, 1916.

Application filed November 29, 1907, Serial No 404,271. Renewed October8, 1913. Serial No. 794,158.

'0 all "whom it may concern Be it known that 1, JOHN W. JEPSON, acitizen of the United States, residing at New York. in the countyof NewYork and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements inAutomatic Electric Regulators, of which the following is a full, clear,concise, and exact description, reference being'had to the accompanyingdrawing. forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in automatic regulators.

I shall first outline one form of regulator to which my invention isapplicable so as to lay the premise for describing certain details andphases of my invention. In general, the regulator as a whole consists oftwo regulators, a main regulator and an auxiliary regulator.

The main regulator may be of various forms and the regulating medium maybe of any character, as, for instance, resistance,counter-electro-motive force, or other things. I shall assume that theregulating medium is a variable resistance. It may be used to regulateelectrical conditions, either mediately or immediately, in aworkingcircuit. To be more specific, I may cite two ways in which it may beused, though there are others that will be understood. One way would beto connect it. directly in the working circuit. and the other would beto connect it in the field. circuit of the generator which suppliescurrent to the working circuit. In the first case it would regulate theelectrical conditions in the working circuit directly or immediately,and in-the latter, indirectly or mediately. The variable resistance iscontrolled by means of an electro-magnet which operates or controlssuitable mechanism for varyingresistance. This magnet is energized froma suitable source and may be called herein, for the purpose ofdistinction, the operating magnet For a concrete example, it may be saidthat the main regulator consists of a variable, resistance and anoperating magnet.

The secondary regulator controls the action of the main regulator. Itmay assume different forms, but for the purpose of illustration I shalldescribe in brief the one that I prefer to employ in practice. It

. consists in general of a pair of separable electrodes and anelectro-magnet. These electrodes may be called herein the regulat ingelectrodes and the electro-magnet may be called the controlling magnet.One electrode is preferably mounted in a stationary position. The otheris preferably mounted on a vibratile element, as, for instance, avibratile reed. One end of the reed is held in av stationary positionand the other carries the movable electrode. Of course the reed may formthe movable electrode, and when I speak of the movable electrode, itwill be so understood. The controlling magnet is connected to thecircuit in which the electrical conditions are to be controlled, as, forinstance, it may be connected across the working circuit. The reedpreferably forms the armature of the controlling magnet. When thestrength of the controlling magnet increases, the reed is attracted andwhen it decreases the reed is released. The reed is thus vibrated andcauses the regulating electrodes to make and break contact. It may besaid in general that the secondary regulator consists of separableelectrodes and an electro-magnet which causes said electrodes to makeand break contact.

The regulating electrodes are preferably connected in a short circuitaround the operating magnet of the main regulator.

\Vhen these electrodes are in contact, the

short circuit is closed and when the same are out of contact, the shortcircuit is open. Hence, if the regulating electrodes make and breakcontact successively, the magnetism of the operating magnet will riseand fall. The mean value of-thev magnetism of the operating magnetdepends upon the action of the auxiliary regulator and that in turndepends upon electrical conditions.

I shall now briefly describe the operation of the regulator. p

\Vhen the voltage on the working circuit rises above a. predeterminedpoint the controlling magnet attracts the reed thereby separating theregulating electrodes and 'opening the short circuit around theoperating magnet. The strength of the operating magnet then increasesthereby increasing the resistance in the working circuit. The voltage isthereupon descreased and the in voltage are almost imperceptible.

controlling magnet is weakened The reed is than releasedand theregulating contacts thus decreased and consequently the resistance inthe working circuit decreases flllOW-' mg the voltage to rise again. Theregulator thus passes through a. cycle of operation during Which'cyclethe voltage on the working circuit rises slightly and then fallsslightly,'thereed being attracted and re leased upon slight variation involtage. The steps in each cycle follow each other so rapidly that saidcycles are repeated at high frequency. The reed is kept in a state ofrapid vibration, and the resistance is raised and lowered in, accordancewith the rate of vibrations of the reed. In consequence of thesevariations in resistance, the voltage rises and falls accordingly,which, in turn sets up the vibration of the reed. Each element of theregulator is so sensitive to the conditions by which it is influenced,that the rise and fall in voltage are checked within very narrow limitsand hence the variations It is to a regulator consisting of a mainregulator and an auxiliary regulator, such as I have outlined, that myinvention is particularly applicable.

The object of my invention is to cause the controlling magnet to attractand release the reed upon minute variations in voltage.

In accordance with my invention I provide means to counteract thevariations in the air-gap between the magnet and the reed or armature.In other words, I provide means whereby the tractive effect between themagnet andthe reed is decreased when the reed is attracted and increasedwhen it is released, thus causing the controlling magnet to attract andrelease the reed upon practically infinitesimal variations in voltage.

In order to bring out more particularly the nature of my invention, Ishall refer a little further to the action of the controlling magnetupon the reed. IVhcn tlie controlling magnet attracts the reed, theair-gap between the reed and the magnet-pole is re duced. The greaterthe decrease in the airgap, the greater is the fall in potential thatThere are various ways in practice inwhich the ends ofmy invention maybe atcontrols.

acts upon the lever the reed the strength of the magnet is reduced, andwhen the magnet releases the reed 'the strength of the magnet isincreased. In'practice I prefer to provide a magnet with two coils. Oneof these coils is connected in circuit to be subjected to the electricalconditions which the regulator The other is so connected in circuit thatwhen the reed is attracted it reduces the strength of the magnet andwhen the reed is released it increases the strength of the magnet. f

I shall now proceed to describe in particular several forms of myinvention which I have worked out in practice. These forms of myinvention employ electrical means to counteract the effect of thevariations in the air-gap, between the reed and the magnet.

The views in the drawings are as follows:

Figure 1 shows a regulator in which the controlling'magnet is providedwith a modifying coil, the circuit of which is open when the reed. isattracted. Fig. 2 shows a regulator in which the controllingcoil isprovided with a differential modifying coil, which becomcs energizedwhen the reed is attracted; and Fig. 3 shows a regulator in which thestrength of the modifying coil is reduced by external means coming intocircuit therewith, when the reed is attracted.

The drawings show the regulator applied to regulate the voltageimpressed upon a circuit l-2, to which are connected translating devices3,of any form. The regulating medium is shown as a resistance in theform of a pile of icsislanee-blocks l, the resistance of which may bevaried by varyirg the pressure upon the blocks. In practice, theresistance blocks a re usually made of carbon, but, of course, they maybe made of other material and may assume various forms. One end of thepile of blocks is engaged by a pivoted lever 5 which is actuated by anclcctro-magnet 5, The other end is held in a stationary position.

The magnet (3. which is herein called the operating-magnet or winding.attracts a plunger 7 which is connected to the lever. The resistanceblocks are normally held underprcssure by means ofa spring 8 which Theoperating-magnet is connected across the circuitl-2 in Est! series witha resistance 9. Its circuit extends from the conductor 1, through theconductor 10, conductor 11, the winding '6, con

a vib'rat'ile reed 15. Owing to the peculiar action of the elements ofthe regulator the reed -is set invibration by a magnet which is providedwith a main coil 16 and amodifyin'g coil 17. This magnet which isherein'called the controlling-magnet, for the purpose of distinction, isconnected in cirwit to respond to the electrical condition on thecircuit 12. It controls the vibration of the reed which causes themovable electrodel l to make and break contact with the stationaryelectrode 13. This action of the regulating-electrodes regulates thestrength of the operating-magnet through which the resistance oftheresistance-blocks is Varied. Of course, a condenser or other ineansmaybe connected across the regulating-electrodes tov reduce sparking. Thecoils 16 and 17 are additive or cumulative. When theregulating-electrodes are separated, the modifying coil is deenergizedand hence the strength of the controlling-magnet is reduced. The maincoil is connected across'the circuit 1 2 inside the regulatingresistance so as to be subjected, to the same voltage as the translatingdevices. Its circuit extends from the positive line 1 through negativeconductor 2. The modifying coil is thus energized and supplements theaction of the main coil 16. When the regulating-electrodes are separatedthe modifying coil is denergized and hence the pull upon the reed isdecreased.

I shallnow describe. the operation of the regulator.

Let it be assumed that it is desired to maintain practically 60 voltsupon the translating devices 3 and that the voltage of the of rapidvibration.

. is closed.

source of electrical energy is higher than (30 volts. There is therefora continuous tendency for the voltage upon the translating devices torise above (30 volts. The main coil of the controlling magnet issubjected to the same voltage as the translat- 'ing devices. when thevoltage rises slightly above the (30 volts the strength of thecontrolling magnet increases suiiiciently to attract the reed. therebyseparating the regulating-electrodes which thereupon open theshort-circuit around the operating magnet (3. The strength oi the o)erating-niagnet then. increases causing a correspomling decrease in thepressure between the resistance blocks 4. Hence, the resistance incircuit is increased. thereby checking the rise in voltage. Theresistance will increase sutliciently to cause the voltage to fall. Thisreduction 'in voltage will weaken the main coil 16.

Meanwhile the coil 17 has. become deenergized owing to the opening ofits circuit by the separable electrodes. Therefore, a very slightreduction in voltage will decrease the strengthof the controlling-magnetsuliiciently to release the reed, thereby allowing theregulating-electrodes to again make contact and short-circuit theoperating magnet. The resistance of the resistance blocks will thereforebe decreased. So, the voltage will rise again, and cause the previouscycle of operation to be repeated. This cycle of operation is repeatedat high frequency, the reed being kept in a state Inasmuch as the reedis attracted and released upon very slight variations in voltage, thefluctuations in voltage on the translating circuit are almostimperceptible, the rise and fall in voltage being checked within narrowlimits. Naturally there is a time-lag in'the operatingmagnet (3. Hence,the strength of the mag net cannot increase to a maximum the instant theshort-circuit is opened, nor fall to a minimum the instant theshort-circuit So it follows that the operatingmagnet is really not fullyenergized and totally deinergized alternately during each cycle ofoperation, as the cycle of operation takes place too rapidly. But whatreally takes place is that there is a fluctuation in strength of thecontrolling-magnet is reduced and hence the controlling-magnet willrelease the reed upon a slighter variation in voltage than wouldotherwise be the case. Likewise. inasmuch as the modifying coil 17 isenergized when the reed. is released the strength of thecontrolling-magnet is increased and hence the controlling-magnet willattract the reed upon a slighter increase in voltage than wouldotherwise be the case. So it follows that the modifying coil counteractsthe variations in the air-gap between the reed and' thecontrolling-magnet, and

"acpordi lythe controlling-magnet will atposes the main coil and hencereduces the strength of the magnet: This coil is so connected in circuitthat it is normally shortcircuited by the regulating-electrodes. \Vhenthe controlling-magnet attracts the reed, the'short circuit is openedthereby allowing the modifying coil to become energized and reduce thestrength of the con trolling magnet, so that the controlling magnet willrelease the reed upon a slight fall in voltagev When the regulatingelectrodes are separated the short-circuit is opened. The circuit thenextends from the positive line through conductor 10, conductor 11, thecoil 6, conductor 12, coil 17, conductor 20 and resistance 9 to thenegative line. When the regulating electrodes are in contact, theshort-circuit around the coils 6 and 17 extends-irom the positive linethrough conductor l0, conductor 18, separable electrodes 13 and 14, reed15 and resistance 9 to the negative line. The coil 17 may, of course, beconnected otherwise than in series with the coil 6.

In Fig. 3 the modifyingcoil is additive as in Fig. 1. This coil isarranged in circuit with a resistance which, in the present instance, isthe operating-winding 6. When the regulating electrodes are in contactthe resistance, that is, the operating-coil 6, is short-circuited. Hencethe modifying coil is energized and it supplements the strength of themain coil. Its circuit extends from the positive line through conductor10, conductor 18, electrodes 13 and 14, reed 15, coil 17,-conductor 20and resistance 9 to the negative line. When the regulating electrodesare separated the short circuit is opened. The resistance of theoperatingcoil 6 then reduces the current in the modifying coil 17.Hence, the strength of the controlling-magnet is reduced.

As already said, various mechanical means may be used to counteract thevariations in the air-gap between the reed and the controlling magnet.Such means make provision for increasing the force, tending to urge-thereed away from the magnet as it is attracted.

.The regulator which I have described herein will serve to depict myinvention, so

Having thus described my invention What I claim as new and desire tosecure by Let ters Patent is:

1. In an elect ic regulator, in combination an operating magnet, a pairof sep arable electrodes connected with said mag net, a controllingelectro-magnet, a vibratile reed forming the armature of saidelectromagnet and carrying one of the said electrodes and a modifyingcoil for said control-- ling electro-magnet in circuit with saidseparable electrodes, the strength of which coil is decreased when saidelectrodes are separated and increased when said electrodes areincontact.

2. The combination in an electric regula tor for regulating theelectrical condition upon aworking circuit, of an operating ,magnet forcontrolling the action of said regulator, a pair of separable electrodesconnected in a short circuit around said operating magnet, a vibratilereed carrying one of said electrodes, an electro-magnet arranged toattract said reed and having two coils, one adapted to be connectedacross said working circuit and the other connected in circuit inserieswith said electrodes.

3. In an electric regulator, a variable re sistance, an ele'ctro-magnetfor Varying said resistance,'a pair of separable electrodes connected ina short circuit around said magnet, a vibratile reed carrying one ofsaid electrodes, a controlling electro-magnet arranged to attract saidreed and having two coils, one adapted to be connected across thecircuit in Which electrical conditions are to be regulated, and theother connected in circuit in series with said separable electrodes. I

4. Means for regulating a circuit includ ing a pile of resistance blocksadapted to be connected in the circuit to be regulated, an

operating magnet for varying the pressure upon said blocks, a pair ofseparable electrodes connected in a short circuit around said operatingmagnet, a vibratile reed carrying one of said electrodes, a, controllingelectro-magnet having twocoils, one adapted to be permanently connectedacross the said circuit and the other connects in circuit in series withsaid separable electrode 5. In an electric regulator, in combina tionan. operating magnet, a pair of separable electrodes connected incircuit with said magnet, a controlling electromagnet, a

vibratilereed forming the armature of said electromagnet and carryingone of said electrodes, said reed being rigidly secured at one end, anda modifying coil for said controlling electromagnet in circuit with saidsepa rable electrodes the strength of which coil Hill to be regulated, acompressible rheostat in series in said circuit, a direct current coilfor operating saidrheostat, a vibratile reed armature and cooperatingcontact for regulating the current in said coil, a direct currentcoil'for attracting said armature and'a coil for compensating for thevarying rel'uctanot of the air gap between said reed and its armature.

, -8. In an. electric regulator, in combination, a variable resistanceadapted to be connected in the circuit to be regulated, an operatingwinding for controlling said res'istance, a'shunt circuit around saidoperating winding, contacts in said shunt circuit normally in contact,one of whichis adapted to vibrate rapidly to open and close said shuntcircuit at a rapid rate, a controlling Winding for causing saidvibrations and an auxiliary coil for accelerating said vibrations.

9. An automatic electric regulator comprising a variable resistance, anelectromagnetic'winding for varying said resistance, a resistance inseries with said Wind- "ing, a voltage responsive relay forshort-circuiting said winding at a rapid rate without 'short-circuitmgthe second mentioned re- "sistance with said relay for accelerating saidvibraan an auxiliary coil associated tions. I A

10. In combination, a variable resistance,

an electromagnetic winding for varying said. resistance, and means forcontrolling the energization of said electro-magnetic winding, saidmeans including a relay having an armature consisting of a resilientreed adapted to vibrate rapidly and having means for compensating forthe varying re-- I luctance ofthe air gap.

[1. A regulator comprising a resistance, an electro-magnetic winding forvarying said resistance, a second resistance in series with saidwinding, a vibratile reed controlling a'shunt circuit around saidwinding, a voltage winding controlling the vibrations Copies of thispatentmay be obtained for is directly responsive.

13. An electrical circuit including an automatic electric regulatorhaving a relay controlling the operation thereof, said relay having anoperating electro-magnetand means for increasing and decreasing theeffective strength of said magnet toagreater degree than the normalvariations in the strength thereof due directly to changes in electricalconditions in'the circuit.

ll. An automatic electric regulator having an operating winding, meansarranged in a shunt circuit around said winding for varying the amountof current diverted around the same to vary the energization thereof,and auxiliary means for causing said first means to respond to veryminute variations to increase the sensitiveness of the regulator.

15. In an automatic electric regulator, a resilient reed adapted tovibrate rapidly to control a short circuit around an element of saidregulator, a controlling magnet for causing said vibrations, and anauxiliary winding for compensating for the varying reluctance of the airgap between said reed and said magnet.

16. A circuit and means for regulating said circuit, said meansincluding an'operating coil, means for controlling the energization ofsaid coil, said controlling means including a second coil operatingresponsive to varying conditions in the circuitto be regulated toincrease or decrease the energization of said first coil and meansforincreasing the effectiveness of said last coil during the time it isdecreasing the energization of said first coil and for decreasing theeffectiveness thereof during the time it is increasing the energizationof said first coil.

1 In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presenceof two wit- GEORGE R. BERGER, FRANK H. HUBBARD.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington,D. 0.

